Hartalika Teej

    What is Hartalika Teej?

    Carried away by her friends — and the Shivling of sand

    Katha

    The name carries the story: harat means carried away, aalika means friend. Parvati's father Himalaya had settled her marriage to Bhagwan Vishnu, but Parvati had already chosen Mahadev in her heart.

    Learning this, her companions carried her into a dense forest and hid her there. On Bhadrapada Shukla Tritiya she made a Shivling of sand and worshipped it through the night without water. Mahadev was pleased and granted that he alone would be her husband.

    In that memory women — unmarried and married alike — keep this difficult waterless fast.

    Mantra

    ॐ हराय नमः

    Salutations to Hara — the one who carries away both sorrow and sin.

    Vrat Vidhi

    A strict nirjala fast with night vigil. Images of Shiva and Parvati are formed from sand or clay and worshipped with the sixteen offerings; parana at dawn.

    Bhog

    Fruit, panchamrit, coconut